Sprawling beaches, spectacular wildlife, coastal lake, exquisite temples, astonishing caves, rich history, mouth watering dishes and amazing handicrafts, Orissa tourism has it all to make it a tourist's paradise.

Beaches : The sea seems to be pouring its beauty over the beaches of Orissa. The picturesque beach of Puri, Orissa seems to pull the tourists to get drenched in it. It is an ideal holiday destination for couples, family and honeymooners. The largest coastal lake of India, Chilka Lake, which is also a sanctuary for the avifauna compels the audience to get lost in its amazing beauty. Boat ride around the lake is a highly recommended activity to explore its beauty.

Sanctuaries and National Park : Orissa Wildlife reserves are the source of great attraction amongst the tourists. 4.1% of the total area of the state has been dedicated for the preservation of the wildlife. The significant ones being Simlipal, Bhitarkanika, Nandankanan, Chilka and Garhimatha. Chilka lake sanctuary is dedicated to the birds which include migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia and the resident birds of India. The Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary is the home for the endangered Royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic elephants, mugger crocodiles and many varieties of Deer family, Sambars, leopards, sloth bears, mongoose and flying squirrels. Simlipal National park reviews suggests it to be one of the highly visited national parks of India in terms of number of tourists. Bhitarkanika Sanctuary is mainly for the endangered species of the subtropical and tropical tidal regions and includes the giant salt water crocodiles, water monitor lizards many members of the deer family, wild boar, fishing cats etc. The sanctuary is also the second largest mangrove ecosystem of India. Apart from being a wildlife sanctuary Nandankanan is also a botanical garden and provides a marvelous opportunity to know the fauna around you. The work of the sanctuary towards saving the rare white tiger population from extinction is beyond any recognition. The Garhimatha sanctuary is the nesting ground for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

Religion and History : Orissa tourist places include the Jagnnath temple of Puri which is considered as one of the four most important pilgrimages for Hindus. The kind of faith and believe shown by the hundreds of devotees visiting this 12th century shrine from all over the world daily cannot be explained in words. There are around 500 temples located in the state’s capital Bhubaneshwar. The caves of Udaigiri and Khandgiri reflect the Jaina architecture. The sun temple of Konark is another example of architectural wonder. Located at 8 kms from Bhubaneshwar, Dahauli hills are believed to be the site for the famous Kalinga war which made emperor Ahsoka to give up violence and embrace Buddhism.

Konark Dance Festival : Every year in the month of December in the auditorium of the ruins of the Sun temple, Konark Dance festival is organized to promote the dance and music of India. The performance by the renowned artists fascinates many and makes it an important aspect of Orissa tourist attractions.